Archived Fishing Report

Dave Stewart's Fishing Report

Written by Dave Stewart |
Originally published 12/26/2001

Kentucky Lake: Headwater Elevation - 354.67
Lake Barkley: Headwater Elevation - 354.25
The subfreezing temperatures have kept me off the lakes since last weekend as have the holiday festivities. I have not received any reports since the big cold snap started on this past Sunday evening.
The surface temperatures are surely going down from the 54-55 degrees that was reported here last week but I am not sure how far they have dropped as there have been no reports on them since the cold snap moved into the area.
Prior to last Sunday the Largemouth and Smallmouth were still very active and reports of good catches were still coming in on Kentucky Lake. The Smallmouth were on the main lake secondary and primary pea gravel points and we readily taking small crankbaits and tube baits.
The Largemouth were being caught on the main lake primary points and secondary creek channel points on tube baits and small crankbaits as well as some fish being caught on the flats in the bays near wood on rattletraps, spinnerbaits, and tube baits. Both lakes are still spilling water but at a much lower rate than last week and the lakes are nearing winter pool once again after the flooding rains of the past couple of weeks.
I would expect that the Smallmouth are still active in the same areas right now unless the water temperatures have dropped dramatically below the 50 degree mark.
As with the bass there have been no reports received on any other species due to the cold snap and holiday festivities. I have received a report from South Barkley that the big catfish are still biting good near the river channel in the Dover area on cut baits. Hopefully by next week there will be more to report on fishing activity here on the lakes.
I hope you all having a great holiday season and that the New Year is a great one for you and your loved ones. We are only about 8-10 weeks now from the beginning of a new Spring season and now is the time to make your reservations for lodging and guides if needed for the new season.

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Woodpecker

Photo by Melodie Cunningham

This pileated woodpecker is one of the more common woodpecker species in North America. It is also one of the largest forest birds in the region.